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In previous years, Amanda Wolf of Sumter, SC, voted using her Florida student photo ID. But the new South Carolina voter ID law changed that. Amanda had to wait more than 6 months to get the proper papers to qualify for a photo ID. Luckily, she received free help from a retired judge since attorneys can charge $1800.

On February 16, 2012, the League of Women Voters of Spartanburg County launched a contest open to all South Carolina high school students: “Picture This: The 5W’s of Judicial Diversity—Who? What? When? Where? Why?: Using Visual Media to Bring a Message to the Public”. Students are asked to submit a 1-minute video, slideshow, photo, or graphic illustration that conveys the abstract idea that “[a] diverse judiciary in South Carolina is important because it instills confidence in citizens that court decisions will be fair and impartial.” Submissions will be judged for creativity and clarity, and shared for public comment on the League of Women Voters of Spartanburg County’s contest Facebook page.

The goal of the contest is to challenge South Carolina students to learn about their state’s courts and to consider the importance of diversity to the judiciary . Submissions are due by April 15, 2012, and winners will be announced on Law Day (May 1, 2012).

Partners: Charleston Law Review; Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics, and Public Leadership at Furman University

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina sponsored the panel "Fitness to Practice: What It Means for Attorneys and the Judicial System" at the 4th annual Law & Society Symposium in Charleston. This panel considered the issue of "fitness to practice" as it impacts the judicial selection system in South Carolina. Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, gave introductory remarks. Panelists included John Freeman, Professor Emeritus of the University of South Carolina and Member, Judicial Merit Selection Commission; State Representative John Davis Harrell, Member of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission; State Representative David J. Mack III, Member of the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission; and Frances P. Segars-Andrews, former South Carolina family court judge. Professor Constance Anastapoulo, Charleston School of Law, acted as moderator. Participants raised specific issues, such as political influence when the legislature votes on nominees.

This week, the League of Women Voters of South Carolina stood with allies to oppose a bill seeking to impose new requirements on independent groups that register voters. The proposal is strikingly similar to a Florida elections law passed last year that, among other things, placed onerous restrictions on voter registration efforts, and led the League of Women Voters to stop registration activities in Florida. Recent research has indicated that the Florida law has already dampened voter registration rates in the state. Barbara Zia, president of the South Carolina League of Women Voters, said the League opposes both bills and is particularly concerned about new rules for voter registration drives in South Carolina, which include fines of up to $1,000 for groups: "It's going to make it difficult or virtually impossible for the League of Women Voters to continue to register voters in South Carolina," she said. "The effect would be to suppress the vote."